Finley's spent some time with Mommy and Daddy, who are in Venice today.   They showed Finley the monster cruise ships that were plying the waters of the Grand Canal.  She usually has so much to say, but her replies are so soft when she "Skypes."









For snack today, Miss Finley wanted to sit in "Daddy's chair."  You two better hurry home or she might usurp your places!

Finley put in some tricycle time.  Everyone likes being pushed around now and then.  I pushed Finley for 35 minutes, and along the way, we stopped to pet Wriggley every circuit.  It was amazing how that kitty just sat and waited for her little pat.   I have never seen a cat so wonderful with a toddler.

Finley and I were looking at earlier photos, and when she saw her bargain ballerina outfit, she begged to put it on.  (Grandad said this morning it was her first choice in attire, too.)  Once, on she pranced to the mirror and enjoyed viewing the tutu toddler.  While in the closet, she discovered Mommy's gigantic exercise ball, and the rolling began.  Even Wriggley wanted to join in on the fun.

Yesterday, we did not take a walk, so today it was a two-walk day.  The first was out back in the "mews" area; the next was the usual mail collection walk.

I made chewy chocolate chip cookies (Katie's awesome recipe), and Finley became a cookie monster!

Our day ended at Niko, Nikos enjoying a superb Greek gyros.  Finley is excited because her mommy and daddy are coming home Wednesday.

Like Daddy, Like Daughter

One of the objectives of Katie and Clifton's trip to Italy was to attend the Formula 1 auto race in Monza.  Finley was excited to see the end of the race and the award of the trophy to team Ferrari.

I hope Mommy and Daddy are enjoying this like I am.

Watch this one,  Stella.

Did you see that?

Finley visits Grammy and Grandad's room downstairs and she always asks to see Grammy's "jewels."  She loves to unzip the little compartments, pull out the baubles and bracelets and surround herself in glittery wonder.

Grandad and Finley have become computer buddies.  She loves for him to show her every picture we have taken of her, and she will watch them over and over again.  When she brought home a little Slinky from the birthday party yesterday, he went on line and found the slinky jingle from the 50's, and now Miss Finley sings, "Everyone loves a Slinky!"

More pool-time fun on a sunny, hot Houston day.

Grandad's squirting me!

Airplane

Party time:  a huge room full of fun!  Initially, the little ones did not know where to start, but it didn't take long for them to adjust.  Finley threw some big balls around and then moved on to the mini-tramps and ramps.  Then came a small love affair with the little pink fire truck.  Lastly, the bubble-catch...every minute delivered fun, fun, fun!

Just watching can be very entertaining.

Later at home, we colored and I cut shapes for Finley" cat, pumpkin, frog, butterfly, house, bunny, etc.  She was beyond delighted, and kept crying, "scissors!"

Party all day!

All dressed up and ready to go to the party.
Meerkat must be invited too.

Dancing, drumming, strumming, and singing will for sure wake up 17 sleepy toddlers on an early Saturday morning.  Finley joined in the party fun, as she waved her scarves and shook her little maraca.  As the music faded away, a familiar song wafted through the air..."Happy Birthday to you!"  That can only mean that cake won't be too far behind.  Yippee!  Finley so enjoyed her Mickey Mouse cupcake.

Back to the terrace and bubbles for more fun.

As I was looking for an outfit in Finley's closet, she spotted the little tutu outfit I had found on super sale at Target.  She instantly wanted to put it on...and so the afternoon and evening was spent twirling in a ballerina-way.  She did not want to take it off, and so we puzzled and played touting our tutu.

Grammy can be soooo embarrassing!

Dancing down the sidewalk.

Busy from sunrise to sunset

Finley spent the morning playing with a variety of toys, all great fun.  She pulled lots of toys out of her cabinet and piled them on a blanket for playtime.  Then she climbed up to the terrace for more bubble time and some time on the pedal bike.  A little exercise does a girl good, right?

After morning playtime, we took a ride to Lake Houston and enjoyed lunch on the water.  Finley tried that infamous seafood: a corn dog.  After our sumptuous fare, Finley cried, "Walk!"  So we took a sun-filled stroll along the restaurant dock.  We spotted some fish and swooping birds.  Finley did not want to leave, even though the sun was blazing hot.

Good-bye!

Meerkat has followed us everywhere all day long, and so he once again accompanied us  on a walk to collect the mail.  After dinner a special treat was planned and off we went on another ride, and we found ourselves at a gelato cafe at journey's end.  Of course, we did this with Mommy and Daddy fresh on our minds after Skyping.   

Since Finley so adores strawberries, I chose vanilla and strawberry gelato for her.  She enjoyed scooping her gelato, but she had an eye on my gelato, and quick as a snake she struck, and snatched some of my chocolate.  From then on her little dish was quickly abandoned, and mine disappeared in a blink, compliments of Finley.  The cry of "Walk!" once again resounded, and Finley was off, scampering through a tunnel and then round and round a fountain.  Time for bath and night-night, as tomorrow is a party day!